Crack of Doom by Willi Heinrich Read Free Book Online

deserter, not even a fake one. I told him he was always keen on medals and this was his big chance. But listen," his face grew serious and he sat down. "I've just thought of something—what are you going to do about your Maria?"
    "How do you mean?"
    "I only meant, what is she going to do when Ivan comes. And your mother, too."
    Kolodzi regarded him with an expressionless face.
    "They're going to Olmutz."
    "And then?"
    "I've no idea."
    "D'you imagine Ivan won't get to Olmutz?" Vohringer asked scornfully.
    "Of course he will."
    "And then?"
    Dropping his fists on the table in a helpless gesture, Kolodzi said: "Don't ask so many questions. It worries me enough as it is."
    "I expect it does," Vohringer said. "Of course, you might have sent them to Wertheim."
    Kolodzi jerked his head round. "To Wertheim?"
    "Yes."
    "Who to?"
    "To me," Vohringer said simply. Kolodzi gaped at him, and he went on in urgent tones: "Well, why not? After all they could stay quite a while at my home, perhaps till the war's over. Ill write my wife. Well, it's an idea, isn't it?" He had talked himself into a fine glow of enthusiasm for his plan. Kolodzi, who had gone on staring at him, now bent over the table. "You damned fool!" he said, and his voice shook.
    It was the last thing Vohringer had expected. He flushed and was about to speak, but Kolodzi forestalled him. "You had all the time in the world, we've known each other long enough. And you have to come out with it now, just when it's too late. If you'd only opened your mouth a couple of hours earlier, before I went to see them I How am I going to let them know? Perhaps you can tell me that?"
    "Damn!" cried Vohringer, and began furiously scratching his neck. "Got a cigarette?" Kolodzi threw a packet on the table. "Oh damned!" he said, taking a cigarette out and lighting it; he flung the match on the floor, and stamped on it with his heavy boots. "But after all you might have asked me," he said. "How d'you expect me to think of everything? How was I to know what your plans were?" The more he tried to justify himself, the less confident he felt. He cursed again. "For God's sake say something," he cried angrily. "You've got a head on your shoulders too, haven't you? Just think a bit! Why don't you simply write to Olmütz?"
    "Of course I'll write now," Kolodzi answered slowly, "and it's very good of you to offer. Only how can I be sure the letter will get there in time? It would all have been so different if you'd just opened your mouth before; there would have been none of this damned uncertainty." The thought renewed his exasperation. "Two hours earlier, and I wouldn't have anything to worry about now." He stopped abruptly as the door burst open and Herbig entered, his white camouflage coat already over his uniform. He was a tall man with a lean hard face and fair hair that fell untidily over his brow.
    "We're to board the trucks immediately," said Herbig, putting a heavy rucksack down on the floor. "Company commanders report to the captain."
    Kolodzi glanced resignedly over at Vohringer. Then he hung Schmitt's binoculars around his neck and went out.
     
     
    The company had already fallen in. "We won't waste any time now," Schmitt said to them, "you'll be told the plans later." He took Kolodzi to one side and pressed a document into his hand. "I took the precaution of having a movement order to Oviz made out for the three of you, just in case you run into any German troops. Only make use of it as a last resort, though—it would put the locals wise as to what's happening." He stopped and looked down the road, from where car engines could now be heard. "Here come the trucks," he concluded. "You'll sit with me."
    Four big six-wheelers stopped on the other side of the road. Schmitt went over to the first, climbed on the step and spoke to the driver in the cab. "Which route are you taking?"
    "Through Jaszo, sir."
    "I want you first to take us twelve miles further on, to Oviz."
    The driver pulled a face. "We